Hyundai Motor Names Koh U.S. Chief, Replacing Cosmai

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 17, 2006 -- Hyundai Motor America (HMA) has announced it has named a new President and Chief Executive Officer, O.S. (Owen) Koh who was selected to streamline the decision making process, enhance communication and position the company for future growth.

Koh is a Senior Executive Vice President of HMC and has been at HMA since 2005 where he was Chief Executive Coordinator. Prior to joining HMA Koh served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Translead, a Hyundai Motor Company subsidiary in San Diego, Calif. and has worked in various positions in the United States for more than 12 years.

Keith Duckworth has been named Acting Chief Operating Officer. Duckworth will remain in his post as Deputy President of Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama while also filling the acting COO position.

HMA and Robert (Bob) Cosmai, former President and CEO, have ended their relationship.

"Bob has done a fine job of leading the company's sales efforts for five years and later serving as its president for the last two years. We appreciate his many accomplishments and wish him the best in the future," said Koh.

The changes are effective Tuesday, January 17, 2006.

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai cars and sport utility vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 695 dealerships nationwide.